How bacteria form resilient communities and take over body sites
Interactions underlying resilient bacterial communities and successful colonization of host niches
This project looks at how groups of bacteria survive and grow in body sites like the gut or tumors to help guide ways to prevent or use those bacteria for patient benefit.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Worcester, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11332741 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers use genetically engineered bacteria and controlled lab communities to see how microbes interact and create stable groups. They combine gene-level experiments, computer analysis, and mathematical models to map spatial and time-based patterns in those communities. The team tests defined bacterial consortia in lab dishes and in living hosts to learn which traits let bacteria persist or spread in niches such as tumors or mucosal surfaces. The goal is to reveal the rules that could help prevent harmful colonization or guide therapeutic use of bacteria.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with bacterial infections or patients with solid tumors where bacteria are known to colonize would be the most relevant for this line of research.
Not a fit: People without bacterial-related conditions or those seeking immediate treatment changes are unlikely to directly benefit from this basic research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could point to new ways to stop harmful bacterial infections or to design beneficial bacteria to target tumors or other body sites.
How similar studies have performed: Previous lab and animal studies show bacteria can persist and colonize tumors or gut niches, but this integrated genetic and computational approach is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Worcester, United States
- Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester — Worcester, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mitchell, Amir — Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
- Study coordinator: Mitchell, Amir
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.